Germany will participate in the nuclear deterrence exercise "Poker" organized by France.

Germany will participate this autumn for the first time in a French nuclear deterrence exercise, as part of a strengthened cooperation between Paris and Berlin in the field of defense.

The decision is part of the new strategy announced by President Emmanuel Macron and Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who agreed to establish a bilateral nuclear coordination group and to expand collaboration on deterrence matters.

The German participation does not involve access to nuclear weapons or decisions regarding their use, but represents a conventional contribution to the exercises organized by France, amid the deteriorating security environment in Europe.

The "Poker" exercises take place four times a year and involve simulating nuclear attacks, with the aim of improving the training of the French air forces.